Container



March 24, 1953 v 'w.- c. M lNTYRE CONTAINER Filed June 16, 1950 bllllllllll" I IN VEN TOR.

WILLARD C. MAC INTYRE HIS TORNEY Patented Mar. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER Willard C. MacIntyre, Franklin, Ohio Application June 16, 1950, Serial No. 168,411

' 10 Claims. 1

This invention relates to containers, and more particularly, to a new and usefulimprovement in containers for comestibles such as pies, pastries and the like.

Present day public health laws, which govern the storing and handling of bakery goods, are such as to. practically compel commercial bakeries to package their goods in containers of a type they may be safely handled and stacked one on top of the other without danger of crushing. It is also essential, due to the highly competitive nature of the bakery business, that the cost of packaging the pastries be nominal as compared.

withthe cost'of the pastries themselves. This means, of course, that the container itself must I be inexpensive to manufacture and, also, that the labor involved in placing the pastries in th containers must'be kept to a minimum. 7

Possibly the least expensive type of container for packaging pies and similar pastries is the sO-called pie band which fastens around the edge of a paper pie plate and provides a cylindrical package for the pie. The plate is held in place within the band in various ways, one of the simplest methods being to provide a series of elongated slots extending circumferentially around the band through which th'eedge or rim of the paper plate may protrude so as to locate and support the plate within the band. Bands of this type may be'constructed either by permanently joining together the ends of the strip from which the band 'is formed to comprise a ring, or the ends of the strip may be provided with interlocking notches and tabs so that an endless cir cular band may be formed without the used any extraneous fastening means. The latter type of band has a particular advantage over the former in that it may be shipped flat and assembled into a ring or band at the place where it is to be used. This latter type of band has heretofore, however, been subjectto the objection, that it does not provide as rigid a package as the permanent joint type of band since the interlocking typeof'joint is apt to permit twisting or pivoting of the band at the location of the joi nt when the package is handled. Such twisting or pivoting of the band may cause the rim of the plate to become disengaged from the even result in the ends of the band becoming disconnected 'from one another;

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved means for fastening together the ends of a pie band.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in connection with an interlocking type of joint for fastening together the ends of a pie band, means which will prevent twisting or pivoting of the band at the joint after the package has been assembled.

Another object of the inventionis to provide, in conjunction with a pie package comprising a pie band having an interlocking type of joint for fastening together the ends of the band and a conventional form of pie plate maintained in position within the band, means on each end of the band and cooperating with the rim of the plate for preventing twisting or pivoting of the band at the joint.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in conjunction with a pie band of the type hav: ing two or more circumferentially extending slots for receiving and holding the rim of a pieplate mounted therein and interlocking notches adjacent the ends thereof for joining the ends together so as to form a circular band, a notch provided on each end of the band for cooperating with the slots and the edge of the plate projecting therethrough so as to securely lock the joint formed by the interlocking notches against pivoting or disconnection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container for'pi'es of the type having a protective cover extending over the pie plate and down around the sides thereof and a band having two or more 'circumferentially extending slots for receiving the edge of the plateand the cover passing thereover and interlocking notches for joining together the ends of the band to form.

a ring, saidbandbeing provided on each end with additional notches for cooperating with the slots and the edge of the plate to securely lock the joint formed by the interlocking notches against pivoting or disconnection. Another object of the invention is to provide a container for pics of the type in which a pie band having two or more circumferentially extending slots for receiving and supporting the edge of a pie plate located therein is provided adjacent each end thereof with interlocking notches for joiningtogether the ends of the band to form a ring, and additional notches for cooperating with the slots and the edge of the Q lock the joint formed by the interlocking notches against pivoting or severance, said container ineluding a protective cover extending over the top of the band and passing down over the sides thereof, and an outer band adapted to fit telescopically over the band and cover so as to hold the cover in place.

With these and other objects in view, as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, I shall now describe a preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary plan view showing my improved pie band applied to a pie plate of conventional design.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a developmental view of 'my improved pie band.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4@ in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 4 but showing a cover in place over'the pie plate.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a container having a cover stretched over the top of the pie band andheld in place by an outer band telescopically fitted over the pie band.

Fig. '7 is a front View of a pie band of conventional design showing the objectionable pivoting action which takes place between the ends of the band when the band is lifted at the point where the ends of the band are "joined together.

As shown in the drawings, my improved form of container for pies and similar comestibles is comprised essentially of a band 9 which is preferably formed of a strip it of heavy paper, or the crewman band is of somewhat smaller diameter than pie plate I l around which it is fitted so as to provide a cylindric'ally shaped container for a pie t2 seated within the pie plate i. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the band 9 is provided 'with a series of longitudinally extending slots l3, there being four of such slots formed in the band shown in the present drawings. The ends of the band are adapted to be joined together by means of a pair of compl'emental transverse notches 14 looated near each end of the band. As shown in Fig. 3, each notch i i extends approximately half way through the band 'so'that the inner ends of the notches are in engagement with one, another, as shown in Fig. 2, when the strip ll] of material from which the band is formed'is joined together at its ends to form a'ring. Itwill also be noted from Figs. 1 and 2 that when the strip H3 is formed into circular band by interlocking the notches M, the end portions P5 of the strip, i. e., those portions of the strip extending inwardly from each endthereo'f to the notch 14, are located on the inside of the band next to the pie plate H. v V V 7 As best shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the slots is are adapted to receive the rim or edge It of the pie plate H, the outer periphery of the rim of the plate protruding through the slots Is as a result of the stretched condition of the band over the plate. provide a means for locating and securing the ie plate in the band so as to form a cylindrical container having a bottom comprised of the pie edge of the band that when the pie plate is placed therein with its rim engaging with the slots I3, the bottom of the plate will be even with the lower edge of the band.

Thus, the slots 13 As mentioned earlier herein, the connection formed between the ends of the band by the interlocking complemental notches I4 is not entirely satisfactory due to the pivoting action which is apt to occur between the ends of the strip It] in the vicinity of the joint formed by the interlocking notches it. Thus, when the container, in which a pie or similar pastry is located, is picked up by grasping the pie band in the vicinity of the notches 14, the pivoting action shown in Fig. 7 will result. When this occurs, the pie plate may, due to the weight of the pastry resting thereon, become disengaged from the notches i3 and drop out of the pie band.

In order to obviate this difficulty, the strip l0 (Fig 3) is provided on each end with a longitudinally extending notch 29 which lies in longitudinal alignment with the slots [3. As shown in Fig. 3,'the inner ends of the notches 20 are spaced from the transverse notches [4 by a distance equal to'the spacing between the notches l4 and the o'uter ends 2| of the two endmost slots 13 formed in the strip 10. this figure, the distance between the outer ends 21 of the slots 13 and the notches M is designated by the letter K, while the distance between the inner ends of the notches 2 d and the transverse notches I4 is indicated by the letter Y. In accordance with the present invention, the distance X is made equal to the distance Y so that when the ends of the strips it are connected by interlocking the notches hi as shown in Fig. 2, the inner ends of the notches 2-5 will lie in alignment with the ends 2'! of the endmost slots -13. Hence, when the band 9 is assembledwith the pie plate II, the notches 2i! will engage with the rim 16 of the plate and thus prevent the objectionable pivoting action between the ends 'of the strip I D at the joint formed by the transverse notches M. In this way a very rigid structure-is produced and the danger of the ends or the band becoming disconnected from one another is *efiecti'vely eliminated. The length of the notches 2'8, that is, the length of the portion at each end of the strip H) designated in Fig. 3 by the letter Z, is preferably made approximately equal to the distances X and Y, though this may be varied, of course, over a fairly wide range without adversely affecting the locking action provided by the notches '20.

In packaging pies or similar comestibles in containers of the type presently being described, it is customary practice to provide a cover extending over the top of the pastry resting in the plate H so as to provide acompletely enclosed container for protecting the pastry from dirt and other foreign material. As shown in Fig. 5-, a cover 23 extends over the top of the pie I2 and down over the rim it of the pie plate. This cover preferably consists of a sheet of cellophane or similar transparent'material of the proper size and shape for the purpose intended. The pie is packaged in a container of this type by placing it in the plate I I one table or other suitable flat surface, after which the cover 23 is laid in place over the top of the pie. The band 9 which has been formed from the strip H3 lei/ joining together the ends of the strip by means of the interlocking notches M, is then pressed down over the top of the pie plate, the rim portion of the plate bending downwardly so as to permit the band 9, which is of smaller diameter than the plate, to pass down over the plate. The band is forced down until the lower edge thereof rests on the top of the table. The

slots I3 will thereby be brought into alignment with the rim l6 whereupon the rim with the cover 23 stretched therearound, as shown in Fig. 5, will project through the slots [3 and also through the two notches as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The overlapping end portiOns I5 of the strip I0 will now be securely interlocked with the rim of the plate and the objectionable pivoting action previously referred to will be prevented.

Pies, or similar comestibles, of the type having a meringue covering or topping may be packaged in a container of the type shown in Fig. 6. In this case, the band 9 is made of somewhat greater width than in the case of the fruit or berry pie containershown inFig. 5, so as to provide greater head space over the pie. In this case, the cover 23 is omitted and the band 9 is pressed downover the pie plate so as to cause the rim. I 6 to project through the slots [3 and enge with the locking notches 28. After the band has been thus assembled with the pie plate, a cover 25 of cellophane or other suitable material is placed over the top of the band, after which an outer band 26 having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the plate II, is then pressed down over the cover 25 and the band 9 so as to stretch the cover 25 taut and hold it securely in place. The band 26 is preferably formed from a strip of heavy paper which is provided at each end with interlocking notches, similar to the notches l 4 provided in the strip [0,

so as to enable the strip to be shipped fiat and from the spirit of my invention and, therefore, I claim my invention broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. A band for use in making a container for pastries comprising a single strip of material having a pair of complemental, notches extending approximately half way through the strip and located one near each end ofsaid strip, a pair of aligned, longitudinally extending slots in said strip having their opposite, outer ends spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from said notches, and a longitudinally extending notch provided in each end of said strip and lying in alignment with said slots, the opposite, inner ends of said notches being spaced outwardly from said transverse notches by a distance approximately equal to said predetermined distance.

2. A circular band intended for use in making a container for. pastries comprising a single strip of material joined together inwardly of its ends by interlocking portions providedon the strip,

the overlapping end portions of the strip being wherein said interlocking portions comprise a transverse pair of complemental, transverse notches extend-' ing approximately half way through the strip.

4. A circular band intended for use in making a container for pastries comprising a single strip of material joined together inwardly of its ends by a pair of complemental, transverse notches provided therein, the overlapping end extending slots in said strip located one on each sideof the joint formedby said notches and terminating a predetermined distance therefrom. and a notch extending inwardly from each end of 7 said strip and terminating at a distance from said transverse notches approximately equal to said predetermined distance, said last-recited notches having a width equal to that of said slots and being so located as to lie in registry with said slots.

5. A container for packaging pastries such as pies and the like, comprising a pie plate, and a circular band having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the pie plate for encircling and containing the plate therewithin so as to form a cylindrical package, said band including a strip of. flexible material joined together inwardly of its ends by interlocking portions provided on the strip, the overlapping end portions of the strip lying on the inside of the band next to the plate, a'pair of aligned, longitudinally extending slots in said strip, located one on each side of thejoint formed by said interlocking portions, for receiving the rim of the plate, and a notch extending inwardly from each end of said strip and lying wholly within the confines of one of the overlapping end portions of the strip, said notches having a width equal to that of said slots and lying in registry therewith so as to engage with the rim of the plate.

6. A container of the character defined in claim 5 wherein said interlocking portions comprise a pair of complemental, transverse notches extending approximately half way through the strip.

7. A container for packaging pastries such as pies and the like, comprising a pie plate, a cover for said plate having edge portions extending downwardly over the rim of the plate, and a circular band having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the plate for encircling and containing the latter therewithin so as to constitute a circular package, said band including a strip of flexible materialjoined together inwardly of its ends by interlocking portions provided on the strip, the overlapping end portions of the strip being disposed on theinside of the band next to the plate, a pair of aligned, longitudinally extending slots in said strip located one on each side of the joint formed by said interlocking portions for receiving the rim of the plate and the cover stretched therearound, and a notch extending inwardly from each end of the strip and lying wholly within the confines of one of the overlapping end portions of the strip, said notches extending approximately half way through the V strip.

9. A container for packaging pastries such as pies and the like, comprising a pie plate, a circular inner band having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the pie plate for encircling and containing the plate therewithin, said band including a strip of flexible material joined together inwardly of its ends by interlocking portions provided on the strip, the overlapping end portions of the strip lying on the inside of the band next to the plate, a pair of aligned, longitudinally extending slots in said strip located one oneach side of the joint formed by said interlocking portions for receiving the rim of the plate, and a notch extending inwardly from each end of said strip and lying wholly within the confines of one of the overlapping end portions of the strip, said notches having a width equal to that of said slots and lying in registry therewith so as toengage with the rim of the plate, a cover having a center portion extending over the top of said band and end portions extending down over the sides thereof, and an outer band having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of said plate for telescopically fitting REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of'this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,872,260 Elzey Aug. 16, 1932 1,902,206 'Wrlgley a Mar. 21, 1933 2,005,208 Schuchat June 18, 1935 2,116,567 Frennd et a1. s' May 10,, 1938 2,154,985 

